DStv: Subscribers demand pay-as-you-view billing system

Digital Satellite Television service subscribers in Nigeria are grumbling over the continued payment for services not rendered by MultiChoice , the major distance- to – home service provider in Nigeria .

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ) in Lagos on Monday , DStv subscribers pleaded with the Federal Government to enact a law to compel MultiChoice to introduce “ pay- as – you – view billing ’’ system.

The subscribers said that there was a need for such billing system , as it would ensure value for the subscription .

Many of the subscribers complained of paying for what they did not get services for, saying that after several complaints , MultiChoice did not listen .

Mr Uzochukwu Nwafor, a businessman , said that MultiChoice was not considerate on how it was handling the issue of pay- as -you – view .

“ They need to put a regulation in place to help subscribers enjoy the money they paid to view the programmes.

“ With that (pay- as – you – view billing ), we can save some money , I see subscribing to DStv programmes as a waste of money ; it does not happen abroad or even in South Africa , ‘’ he said .

Mr Silvanus Nwankwo , a civil servant , said that the National Assembly (NASS) was supposed to look into the operations of MultiChoice .

“ Many companies come to Nigeria and rip us off because our policies are not being implemented .
“ Again, DStv does not have serious competitors and that is why the company is behaving as it pleases .
“ The Pay- As – You- Go billing that telecommunications operators offer is supposed to be applicable to DStv , ’’ he said .

Nwankwo , however, said that the NASS should focus on the number of Nigerians that subscribed to the company ’ s service and insist on reducing prices of its bouquets.
A Hip Hop Artiste, Ishmael Lawal , popularly known as ‘ King Songo ’ said that MultiChoice was defrauding Nigerians, as its decoder did not work properly .

Lawal said that after subscription , he hardly watched the programmes because the signal was poor .
He also said , “ The company cuts off subscriptions two days before expiration, without warning .

“ Again, they keep repeating programmes, when one had paid to get new and trending programmes. ’’
A source at the Consumer Protection Council , who pleaded anonymity , said that the council had already taken MultiChoice to court over the issue.